Abstract
Developing coherent intense broadband light sources is undoubtedly one of the key elements in pushing the frontiers of optical sciences, especially those of nonlinear terahertz (THz) optics. Plasma-based THz emitters excel in many aspects thanks to their broad radiation bandwidth, high output pulse energy and immunity to high power damage. Various excitation wavelengths and gases have been explored in the search for a stronger THz wave emission from laser-induced plasmas, whereas few attempts have been made with artificially modulated exotic wavepackets. Here we demonstrate that abruptly autofocusing-beam-induced air-plasma can give a 5.3-times enhanced THz wave pulse energy compared to normal Gaussian-beam-induced plasma under the same conditions. We believe this work will inspire a new direction for controlling THz radiation from laser-induced plasma using tools such as spatial light modulators to sculpt the excitation beams, and pave the way to THz remote spectroscopy, which is considered critical for both homeland security and environmental monitoring.
© 2016 Optical Society of America
PDF ArticleMore Like This
Kang Liu, A. D. Koulouklidis, D. G. Papazoglou, S. Tzortzakis, and X.-C. Zhang
JTh2A.98 Frontiers in Optics (FiO) 2016
Yuxuan Chen, Yuhang He, Zhen Tian, and Jianming Dai
FD2.1 Frontiers in Optics (FiO) 2023
Jianming Dai and X.-C. Zhang
LMD2 Laser Science (LS) 2008